Aus to makes changes in skilled migration programme: report

In the wake of attacks against Indian students, Australian government is planning to make changes in its skilled migration programme that would delink permanent residency with trade occupations such as hair dressing and cookery.

Immigration Minister Chris Evans will announce the new rules on Monday that will include amendments to the "migration occupations in demand" list, which awards points to migrants applying to work in areas like hairdressing and cookery, The Age reported.

Evans will detail the changes in a speech to industry and union representatives, including Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, AiGroup, the Minerals Council of Australia and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, the report said.

Government is also expected to reconsider changes made on January 1 this year to the temporary '457' category of visa, which businesses have criticised for impeding the ability of Australian employers to recruit desperately needed workers from overseas.

The changes are expected to break the link between permanent residency and trade occupations, such as hairdressing and cookery, that has been on a major demand list to attract overseas students wishing to stay on in Australia, the report said.

The moves comes in the backdrop of a spate of attacks against Indian students in Australia. There have been over 100 instances of attacks on Indians, most of them students, in Australia since the last year.